Lucky Box in Niagara Falls

Today we spent the entire day in Niagara Falls and had a great time - you can read about our entire day at Niagara Falls - Wet, Wild and Wonderful.

We were so busy today that we didn't really have time to letterbox but there was one that we could get on our way back to the hotel. From all of our adventures today we had to walk along Murray St. to get to a promenade which took us back to our hotel. Along Murray St. is the Fallsview Casino Resort and there is a pedestrian walkway from the Resort over Murray St. to a walkway that takes you to the Skylon Tower. We walked down Murray St. until we were standing under the pedestrian walkway and even with a pvc pipe sticking out of the ground at the top of a stone wall along the street. The box was hidden behind a small 10" x 3" rectangular stone (easy to find as the wall is made up of much, much, much larger stones. We easily found Lucky 7's - Niagara Falls, Ontario by Kenlaur. I found a place to sit a few feet away so I could stamp in. When it was time to rehide the box we had to wait about 15 minutes for people walking by. Finally, the area cleared and I got the box back in place.

I am glad I got to find one box today. Maybe tomorrow we will have more time to letterbox but if not that is okay because this area is beautiful and there is so much to see and do. I could actually spend hours just watching the Falls.

A Few Boxes in Canada

Today, in between sightseeing and traveling we managed to get in some letterboxing. This morning we spent time in Toronto and ended up in the Distillery District. While there we looked for That Old Tin Can by Bumble. The box wasn't a box - just a stamp with a magnetic backing. The clues were a bit cryptic but after a few minutes of walking around we found the starting point and from there things went pretty good until the end. We were to pass #11 & #12 and the enter into some place. Where we ended up was closed and we couldn't get in. So I did a little thinking and walked around a bit and I noticed another set of numbers - so I walked past a different #11 & #12 and then everything fell into place and I found the stamp. I took it back outside and found a nice place to sit and stamp in. This was quick since it was only a stamp and no logbook and then the stamp was replaced in its hiding spot. After finding the box we continued our sightseeing and then left Toronto to head toward Niagara Falls.

We drove from Toronto to Niagara Falls (Canadian side) and then continued on to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The town was very busy and parking was challenging so we continue past the town and drove about 10 more minutes to Queenston Heights Park. Once we found a place to park we began our search for the two boxes in the park. The first box we looked for was Connecticut Yankee in Ontario by Celtic Roots. The clue stated to start at a monument. There was one close to the parking area so we walked there but it wasn't the right monument --- but the views from here were spectacular. So we continued over to a much grander monument which turned out to be the right one. From there we followed the clues but we were stumped by the last landmark which was supposed to be just before a staircase, which it wasn't. So after a bit of searching I found the boulder in question which was 18 steps before the staircase and hidden by a bush. We did have a happy ending since I was able to find the box. After stamping in and replacing the box we continued on to the next one. This time we searched for Adinkra Symbols - Good Fortune (ON) by LCAB. This was a much easier and quicker find. After nabbing the box I found a place to sit and stamp in. We then replaced the box and then decided to call it a day for letterboxing and return to Niagara Falls.

Once we arrived in Niagara Falls and got checked in to the hotel we decided to take a walk to see the Falls and get oriented to the area around the hotel. You can read about that part of the trip at Arriving in Niagara Falls - WOW!!!.

Planting a Letterbox for PAL

Today is PAL (Plant a Letterbox) Day. This year's event was hosted by Wronghat and he logged it in as an event - Dozenth Annual International **PAL** (Plant a Letterbox) Day. I had noticed this a few weeks ago and I had been wanting to plant a box but kept putting things off and this event was just what I needed to get me moving.

I had already gathered an image and some information but I still had some things to do. First, I needed to carve the stamp. Second, I needed to find a place to plant this box. And third, I needed to make a logbook and put the box together. Then I would be ready to hide it. So I printed out the stamp image and gathered everything else I needed and got to work. Last week I went out and scouted two locations and then picked one. So now I knew where this box would be hidden.

I got the stamp carved and mounted, then cut the pages for the logbook. I made the covers for the logbook and then did the binding. Once I got started things just seemed to fall into place and before I knew it I had the box ready.

This morning I headed out to hide the box. I knew it would be quick and easy as I had already picked a spot and had it ready for the box. I planted this box on the Winsor Trail near Tesuque. This is the lower part of the Winsor Trail and is a beautiful area.

The trail is pretty easy compared to the sections at the end of Hyde Park Road. I like this trail because there are quite a lot of trees which makes for a shady and cool hike. It is also a gradual and easy climb. And the trail mostly follows Tesuque Creek and makes a few creek crossings. The hike from the parking area is a little over a mile and a half with an elevation gain of only 189 feet. I spent about an hour out on the trail. This included the hike, taking pictures, hiding the box and spending a little time sitting by the creek and enjoying the sound of flowing water.

The box I planted is Animal Crackers: Circus Wagon. I am actually very pleased with the way it turned out. I like the carve and I like the way I did the logbook but mostly I like where it is hidden. A relatively easy hike in a beautiful area with a relaxing flowing creek. I hope the finders enjoy getting the box as much as I enjoyed planting it.

Happy PAL Day to all the letterboxers out there!

Along the trail . . .